The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 141
This festival includes a welcome party for new students that wasn’t held during the admission period.
Every day during the festival, parties are held from noon to midnight.
After the four mock battles that took place today, a grand party was held at the great drill ground.
Soldiers who participated in the mock battles were also given rich food, and students began to party.
“Your strategy was truly admirable, Princess Sophia!”
“As expected, Your Highness is the hope of Beckavia!”
The people from Beckavia’s side gathered around, showering praises non-stop.
Sophia had an embarrassed look on her face at this blatant flattery.
“But the core operation was carried out by Wade, I’m telling you.”
“Even so, it was you, Princess, who stopped Cadillac Cornelia.”
Still, Sophia’s lips twitched, suggesting she wasn’t displeased.
I was in my own troublesome situation.
“Impressive. That flashy yet practical tactic. Wade’s reputation wasn’t for nothing.”
“Could we have a word?”
This was because various celebrities, such as nobles and merchants, were approaching me.
‘There are some unusual characters mixed in.’
The most notable were Jean Hysack, the great general of Bülang, and Prince Eldric.
Although they said they came on behalf of Oscar, the first prince of Bülang, to celebrate the festival, given the timing, I couldn’t help but suspect they had other intentions.
In addition, several key national diplomats were seen.
As if they already knew that a major diplomatic battle would soon take place in Balas.
‘Looks like something’s up. Well, I’ll find out when I get there.’
For now, I decided to fill my empty stomach.
I moved around the party venue with Eo in tow.
As I was moving around, tasting a bit of each party food, a familiar face approached.
“Hey, Ars.”
“Ash?”
Ash whispered to me while frantically looking around.
“Is Lysithea here too?”
“She probably is. Estelle seems to have attended the party too. She’s probably waiting outside. But why?”
“Phew! So she’s not in the party venue.”
Ash let out a sigh of relief and said, “You know, it’s a good occasion today. How about we finish what we couldn’t last time?”
“Are you out of your mind…?”
This guy is hopeless.
“I-I’ve told you many times, this is just for show! That’s why we need to do it where there are lots of people!”
“I’m going to pass today.”
“Is that so? Then there’s no helping it. I’ll have to try with Senior Gunther. But…”
Ash shuddered as he looked at Eo standing next to me.
“I-Is that Eonia Mirabel?”
“So what?”
Ash gulped. Although he had seen Eo when he was captured by me, this was his first time seeing her bare face, so his feelings seemed quite different.
He’s staring at Eo as if mesmerized. Feeling a bit annoyed, I lightly poked his eye.
“Ouch! What are you doing, man!”
“Your eyes were lustful. Don’t you dare look at my Eonia with such eyes.”
“Ugh! I-I was just trying to greet her. Since Lysithea seems to be indebted to her…”
“If that’s the case, greet me instead.”
“Tch!”
Just then, Gunther joined us.
Gunther also gaped when he saw Eo. Being tall himself, the equally tall Eo seemed to hit his sweet spot, as he stood frozen like a stone, not moving at all.
“Uh, Elaine. That, that person…”
The displeasure grew stronger at the look in his eyes, as if asking for an introduction.
‘Is this… Feeling jealous?’
Even though I hardly feel jealous about Erina or Estelle. Strangely, I feel possessive about Eo.
“Everyone, back off from Eo.”
I left the two idiots alone and forcibly led Eo away by the hand.
At that time, Eo was wearing an inexplicably joyful expression.
As we wandered aimlessly around the party venue, we encountered an uncomfortable group.
“Wade…!”
Prince Eldric, frowning with disdain.
Beside him were Tena Woodmore and the protagonist Cassius.
Among them, Tena glared at me as if she wanted to kill me. I was about to ignore them and pass by since I had nothing particular to say, but suddenly Cassius spoke to me.
“I watched your battle today. It was as expected.”
“…?”
As I expressed my confusion, Cassius laughed heartily.
“I’m just calling a good thing good. No matter how much you’re my rival, I can’t call white black. It was an excellent battle, Ars Elaine.”
I wondered if this was the protagonist’s social skills, but I suddenly remembered what Estelle had said.
‘She said the protagonist had goodwill towards me…’
I still didn’t understand why Estelle felt that way, but I too sensed a strange discomfort in the protagonist’s attitude.
Let’s assume that the protagonist really does have goodwill towards me.
If he happens to know my true identity, in other words, that I’m his half-brother.
‘Is he trying to help me…?’
If so, what he said during the music lesson makes sense too. ‘The situation will change soon, Wade. Let’s see if you can say such things then.’ That’s what he said.
I wondered why he said such rash things then, but if it was to give me a subtle hint, it makes sense.
It’s the same now.
He might be trying to convey something by making me talk to Prince Eldric.
Feeling it was worth discussing, I carefully opened the conversation.
“I didn’t expect the busy Prince Eldric to come all the way here. For Bülang, Grand General Hysack’s presence would have been sufficient. Perhaps you have other business?”
Eldric didn’t seem to think it was worth answering, but this time the protagonist spoke.
“The prince has visited this Fensillon Celebration every year. It’s the same this time.”
“…”
This too could be interpreted as a hint.
Prince Eldric has visited this festival every year. In other words, it could be interpreted that he has had a high interest in Balas for a long time.
‘Is this really…?’
At that moment, Tena cautioned Cassius.
“Cassius! What are you trying to achieve by saying such things to this guy!”
“Tena, the prince has openly visited this festival. There’s no need to hide that.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Isn’t that right, Your Highness.”
Eldric nodded and said to me.
“You asked earlier if I had other business? If it’s business, I do have some. Very important business.”
“A plot to overthrow Balas, perhaps?”
I intended to launch a surprise attack like I did with the Saint, but it didn’t work on Prince Eldric. Or rather, he didn’t deny it.
“It wouldn’t be strange if such a thing happened. Balas has become like a troublesome existence in the continental situation.”
“What I want to ask is whether you are involved in that matter.”
“Well. What do you think?”
“…”
A meaningful silence.
Eldric, seemingly not wanting to deal with me anymore, snorted and turned away.
“Hmph. Cassius, Tena. Let’s go.”
I watched their backs for a while.
* * *
The party reached its peak at 8 PM.
The dance began in earnest, and partners who hit it off moved to separate places to share intimate love.
After dancing in line with Erina and Estelle, I was sprawled out on a table, tired.
Erina and Estelle suggested we go back together, but since I had some business left, I decided to send them ahead first.
The business was simple.
It was because that Juras guy had appeared at the party venue.
I thought it would be the same this time, as incidents invariably occurred when he showed up.
Still, there was time to spare as Juras was greeting other figures first.
After careful consideration, I spoke cautiously to Eo.
“Eo, would you like to dance with me?”
“…What!?” Eonia exclaimed in surprise.
“Well, I think security has loosened up a bit now. It should be fine to dance.”
“With… With me?”
“Is that strange?”
“It’s not strange, but…”
“Then do you dislike the idea of dancing with me?”
“I don’t dislike it! It would be an honor!”
Eo blushed and didn’t know what to do.
I took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
Although hesitant, Eo complied. I felt more flustered than when I danced with Erina or Estelle.
It was then that I clearly realized how I felt about her.
‘I never knew I could be so fickle.’
Well, it’s not that strange.
After all, I had been inseparable from Eo for nearly three years. It’s natural for such feelings to develop.
Still, I had no intention of confessing my feelings right away.
If I were to do so, I thought it would be proper to wait until after the child was born.
After the dance ended, I thought about having a private conversation, but Eo, seemingly overwhelmed, quickly escaped, saying she would switch with Anton who was waiting nearby.
As I watched her leave with a smile, voices of resentment echoed around me.
“You deceiver!”
“How many people are you going to dance with!”
It was Ash and Gunther. The silly duo.
Gunther’s fists were trembling.
“Not only with Erina Saleon, known as the genius of Grancel, but also with the famous Estelle Diante! And even dancing like that with your own vassal. You lucky bastard!”
“Senior Gunther, I heard this guy even has a pregnant wife!”
“What!?”
The two exploded.
Dorofei, who approached me at that moment, expressed his curiosity.
“What’s wrong with those people? Ars, are they your acquaintances?”
“No, I don’t know them.”
“I see.”
Dorofei looked at them with pity.
Just then, Ash’s eyes lit up.
“You, you’re Dorofei Grimwood!”
“Yes, what about it?”
“I’ve heard about you. They say you’re friendly with all the girls.”
“Well… I do have a lot of friends. Why?”
“Great, now you’re one of us too!”
Ash tried to form a trio by pulling Dorofei in.
Dorofei unable to refuse, was dragged away by the two.
‘Even though he looks like that, Dorofei is quite popular too.’
He definitely won’t become their comrade.
“Lord Ars. I’ve come in place of Mirabel.”
“Perfect timing.”
It was about time to meet Juras.
I headed towards him with Anton.
The fact that Juras had come here meant that things were already imminent.
As expected, he got straight to the point.
“Ars, the armies have moved.”
“What’s the scale?”
“Alvard has 30,000. The West has 70,000.”
“A total of 100,000…”
The standing army of Balas is 80,000. To maintain its neutral position, it had a fairly large standing army, but it was hollow.
This is because Balas’ regular army has no combat experience.
Not only the soldiers but also the officers lack combat experience, so their combat effectiveness is unlikely to be above average.
“But Balas has diplomatic skills, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right. It’s thanks to those diplomatic skills that Balas has been safe until now, but the situation has changed.”
This is because Bülang, the core of diplomatic channels, signed non-aggression treaties with all kingdoms and withdrew from the diplomatic stage.
“With Bülang gone, the international situation has become somewhat simpler.”
Juras then explained the background of this incident.
The background was the previous Tail War.
As the temporary ceasefire from the Tail War came to an end, the sparks of war reignited.
First, Svenner decided to invade Europe. This was also to prevent Europe from intervening in Balas.
Similarly, Tunkai deployed soldiers to the border of Beckavia, tying up Beckavia’s feet as well.
With this formation, there were no forces left to immediately protect Balas except for Calliper and Crossing.
Although Crossing and Calliper are there, for these two kingdoms to send support to Balas, they would have to go through Alvard.
Therefore, Alvard decided to focus all its efforts on defending the east, apart from the 30,000 troops dispatched to Balas, to buy time.
“Alvard was quite determined. There are several military fortresses in the east, built who knows when. If they hold out there, it will significantly delay things. To help Balas, they’ll have to go through Beckavia and Europe. But this is not only inefficient but also problematic in securing supply routes.”
“What about going through Bülang?”
“Due to Bülang’s non-aggression treaty, foreign armies can’t enter Bülang. That way is also impossible.”
“They’ve shot themselves in the foot, haven’t they?”
This entry prohibition clause was something I had inserted for when I would conquer Bülang in the future, but now it has tied our hands.
“What are you going to do?”
In truth, from our standpoint, it didn’t matter much whether Balas fell or not.
That’s why we hadn’t been taking it too seriously.
Moreover, the decision-making power for this matter lay with Juras.
He spoke with a faint smile.
“I’ve been thinking about this matter too… Ars, would you be willing to play along with what I’ve devised?”
TL NOTE:
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honestly if this is a case where we’re going to see ars and juras messing with the plotters’ plans over and over again, then this will be enjoyable. I get concerned when you see enemies plotting while the MC just does domestic crap, like we’ve seen ars doing lately…